You’d be surprised at how much dirt your vacuum leaves when cleaning your rug. No matter how big the promises of your vacuum manufacturer, sometimes they just can’t get deep enough to remove every particle. And those particles can add up over time.

You love your rug and want it to be on your floors for many years to come. How do you take care of it?

Start by keeping it clean

If you control how much dirt gets onto the rug in the first place, you’ll have an easier time keeping it clean. Declare a shoes-off policy throughout your home. If you place a doormat or rug by your doors, you can stop people before they enter and have a place for them to leave their shoes.

Frequent vacuuming is also a requirement. Vacuuming up surface dirt before it has a chance to embed deep in the fibers will ensure your rug stays cleaner longer. Having an expensive vacuum that stays in the closet is of little use. Instead, purchase one that is easy to use and can be pulled out and used frequently.

Spend time vacuuming where the dirt really is. In heavy traffic areas, pass over the rug a dozen times. For less traffic areas, reduce your passovers to four. And in guest rooms or places rarely visited, you can clean less frequently, maybe with touch-ups once a month.

Deep cleaning 

The safest, easiest way for deep cleaning is to roll your rugs up and have them taken away for cleaning. However, that’s not always a logical or practical choice. Always refer to manufacturers guidelines before you start the cleaning process.

You should always keep in mind the three key concepts of spot cleaning: blot, clean, rinse. Never scrub; only blot. Rubbing on a stain merely pushes the stain further into the fibers. Blot instead by pressing down with the heel of your hand to absorb the spill. If the spill is large, consider using a wet vac.

Never use harsh chemicals. Mix your own spot cleaning solution with a few drops of dish soap in water. Avoid creamy soaps as they can leave sticky residues. Once the stain has been removed, rinse the area with clean water or continue to blot with a wet towel. Repeat until no more residue comes out.